Dubai’s art scene has long evolved at a remarkable pace, defined by ambitious institutions, international fairs, and a growing community of collectors. Yet beyond expansion, a quieter transformation is taking place, one led by a new generation of founders redefining how art and design are experienced and collected.
Among the city’s most compelling recent openings are DOM Art Projects in Al Khayat Avenue and The A/P Room in Alserkal Avenue. Distinct yet aligned in vision, both spaces signal a broader cultural shift: the emergence of female-led platforms that move beyond traditional gallery models to create environments grounded in dialogue, research, and curatorial storytelling.
Together, they reflect a maturing ecosystem in which art spaces increasingly function not only as exhibition venues but as cultural frameworks shaping how audiences engage with creativity today.
DOM Art Projects: A Home for Artistic Dialogue and Discovery
Dubai’s cultural landscape welcomed a significant new addition in November 2025 with the opening of DOM Art Projects, a private art institution and contemporary art space located in Al Khayat Avenue within the Al Quoz Creative Zone. Conceived as a female-led platform for discovery and curatorial innovation, the institution contributes to Dubai’s expanding cultural infrastructure by prioritising experimentation, education, and artistic exchange.
Founded by Anna Pumpyanskaya, Director and Co-founder, and Alisa Bagdonaite, Chief Curator and Co-founder, DOM Art Projects was envisioned as a space that connects artists and audiences through shared cultural curiosity, a creative “home,” reflected in its name, DOM, meaning home.
Dedicated to presenting museum-grade exhibitions and installations by emerging and mid-career artists, the institution integrates multiple layers of artistic production into a single platform. Alongside its exhibition programme, DOM includes a residency initiative with three studios dedicated to artistic research and production, as well as a year-round programme of workshops, talks, screenings, and guided encounters designed to deepen public engagement with contemporary art.
A defining feature of the institution is its forthcoming art and culture bookshop — set to become Dubai’s first space dedicated exclusively to art publications — alongside plans for a publishing arm that will further expand discourse around artistic practice and collecting.
Reflecting on the vision behind the project, Pumpyanskaya explains: “Dom Art Projects was founded to foster dialogue, discovery, and engagement with the arts. As Dubai’s creative economy expands, we are proud to play a role in this movement by creating a space that supports artists, connects local and global perspectives, and brings communities together. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do.”
Beyond exhibitions, DOM continues to develop community-driven initiatives, including open calls and partnerships such as its collaboration with Bayt AlMamzar. The institution will soon announce its programme for Dubai Art Season 2026, including its debut participation at Art Dubai’s Digital section alongside a new group exhibition marking its second major presentation since opening.
Through its layered structure of exhibition-making, residencies, education, and publishing, DOM Art Projects reflects a growing desire for spaces that nurture artistic processes over time, positioning dialogue and discovery at the centre of cultural production.
The A/P Room: Collectable Design as Cultural Conversation
Led by industry expert Christelle Bassila, newly launched curatorial platform The A/P Room operates under Atelio, Vivium’s design vertical, a family office founded by Elie Khouri. The A/P Room introduces a distinct perspective to the region, positioning collectable design between fine art, architecture, and material culture.
Conceived as a cultural conduit rather than a conventional gallery, the space connects continents, disciplines, and generations, bringing together leading international designers with regional voices. As the first gallery in the region to unite historic and contemporary collectable design within one curatorial framework, it presents iconic works alongside emerging practices, encouraging dialogue rather than hierarchy.
Reflecting on the motivation behind founding the platform, Bassila notes:
“I felt there was a space for a platform dedicated specifically to design as a cultural dialogue positioned between fine art and collectable design. My vision was to create a space where design is treated with intellectual rigour — through curated exhibitions, strong narratives, and thoughtful scenography — and where regional and international voices are presented in dialogue, not hierarchy.”
Her approach to leadership also shapes the way the platform engages with artists and collectors. When asked whether being a female founder influences how she builds community and curates exhibitions, she reflects “I think being a woman influences the way I build relationships — through dialogue, through listening, and through long-term trust. I am very attentive to the emotional dimension of collaboration, whether with the artist or with the collector. And of course, being a mother makes you very conscious of time, legacy, and example.”
Through carefully constructed exhibitions, The A/P Room invites collectors to engage with objects beyond functionality, framing design as a form of cultural storytelling. Under Bassila’s direction, collecting becomes both an intellectual and emotional experience that reflects evolving global attitudes toward interdisciplinary practice.
By Nour Jarmakani
